Urban Decay Naked 2!

Now there have already been several reviews about this product. I absolutely love the names of the shadows! I’m thinking of trying bootycall, chopper and tease together 🙂 There are a dozen colors in this palette and the mixtures of rich browns, shimmery golden-bronze and deep dark blacks will put any daytime or late night look together! Oh, and it comes with a lip gloss-how’s that for a cherry on top. Here’s a great tutorial using Naked 2 from JulieG713 and another from AndreasChoice.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – Radience

Now, I have to be honest I have never used a primer on my face before doing my makeup so I really don’t know if this will make my final results any better or any worse. However I am a fan of Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF-20 Oil-Free it is my go-to during the summer months. It is perfect and light and my face feels “naked” all day which is very important when it is hot as hell outside. You don’t want your makeup to feel like it’s melting off your face. Oh, this is not a review for that product though…I guess I said all of that to say that I’m willing to try her primer for what it’s worth. Here’s the description:

Foundation Primer, introduces a breakthrough radiant formula to the collection. Foundation Primer Radiance not only provides a smooth, silky surface for makeup application, but also it adds a sheer, healthy glow to the skin.

Carol’s Daughter Macadamia Styling Collection Set

I like Carol’s Daughter a lot. I have been on a fierce hunt for some great heat-protecting products for when I decided to straighten my hair. It is perfect for all you natural beauties out there. See below for product details.

Of course there are tons of other new products from Sephora, but by the time I write about them all- they won’t be so new anymore. So get outta her and go check ’em out yourself…but come back soon now ya hear!

I don’t have a regimene… really I have learned to just connect with the needs of my hair at the time. I shampoo whenever I feel it necessary; sometimes 2 times a month sometimes once a month. I deep condition and pre-poo only when I shampoo. I co-wash every week and seal with coconut oil (I love coconut oil).

That’s pretty much it! I know I probably owe a lot of how-to post (that I need to stop promising) but I just don’t even have the time. I do good putting post up when I do. I am really glad that I have kept track of this adventure it’s really cool to see comparison pics.

Check them out!

This is from my BC to Nov. 2011

It is crazy to me that my hair is where it was this time last year when I was transitioning. My hair was shorter than this when I started transitioning and it had been at that length for about a year and a half!!!

I just want to take this opportunity to vent. Hopefully if I get this off of my chest I will stop waking up upset about it.

So, I went to get my hair straightened and TRIMMED (please note TRIMMED is the key word here) and came out of the salon with a CUT!!

See picture of me smiling on the outside:

Before I went my hair looked like this:

This above picture was taken 2 days before I went to the salon. Now, I did ask for my hair to be trimmed if needed, but for some reason that sounded like cut to her! I am so upset. I have been going to the same person for almost 8 years and she knew that I was growing my hair out, but why would she cut it? I just don’t know. I am sooo upset soo upset. About 2 inches is gone from the back.

On the bright side, it is in a cute little style, but 2 inches is almost 4 months of growth gone down the drain. The top part has about an inch that has been cut, so it’s not horrible.

I know this sounds vain, but to me this is what we call a SETBACK because curly girls we know that we work hard for our locks to retain length and the effort it takes to wash, co-wash, condition, detangle is all such a tedious that when something like this happens it hurts the heart because all our hard work is literally being thrown in the trash.

So, now I have a new growth challenge and that is have my hair (the front at least) back to the length it was pre-CUT by September at least and the rest back to normal length by November. I will admit, after she cut the ruff ends off my hair (which is what I was going to get done to begin with MAYBE a half an inch) my curls fall so lightly and they are more defined.

I know that I will ONLY be letting her flat-iron my hair from now on and I am going to be searching all over youtube for instructions on how to cut my ends!!! I tell you, you only get one chance to mess up on my head!! ONE CHANCE!! But she has been good a long time, so I will go back–but no more scissors for her! 😦

I love taking little “get to know yourself” quizes. Not the love ones because I think they are full of crap, but the fashion and style ones or the hair ones. They are just fun and at the end they meet you with a wonderful surprise of new items-dresses, sunglasses, nail polish and shampoo 🙂 to try out.

I found a new quiz on Hair Liberty that will tell you your hair-type (as many of us curly girls are naturally obsessed) and the products that will work best for you and you can then purchase them right away via amazon (as many of you PJ’s, I’m sure will find very convenient).

Here are my quiz results:

If you don’t already love your hair, you’re about to start! Medium to thick strands are the easiest to maintain. While women with finer hair are trying to achieve more volume, you’re probably trying to keep yours under control.

With the right products, your hair can be relatively low-maintenance and the styling possibilities are endless.

The biggest mistake for your hair type is rough handling. Your hair may seem strong and invincible, but it’s not. All types of African American hair are sensitive to mechanical damage, so be careful when you comb and brush your hair. Split ends will make it difficult to achieve longer hair.

Heavier products and moisturizers can give you soft, defined curls. Thick, curly hair requires LOTS of product. Use a little more than you think is necessary until you find the perfect amount.

I’m totally against becoming a PJ (no offense) it’s just not up my alley and I just don’t see myself spending tons of money on hair products in hopes that it will magically define or loosen or whatever my curls only to find out it’s not all what it’s cracked up to be. However I do want to try the Curl Enhancing Smoothie. It’s sold at Target now!!!

I don’t post very often…so I guess I’m not a “go-to” blogger! Mainly my blog is my own personal hair journal and a way for me to look back on the growth and the strengths and weaknesses of this process. I was so unsure about going natural in the beginning, but now I realize it was the best decision I have made regarding my hair and my lifestyle. It is so funny how my healthy hair challenge has become the roots of a tree that has spawned branches into other healthy life-style journeys including eating habits and excercise. I have never felt happier and more confident.

Honestly, in order to rock it, you must own it and in order to own it, you must rock it! I am rocking it and owning it and I have become bold and confident because of it. I have learned not to care what other people think of me and my choices. This is my life and I’m living it as best as I can according to the plan and the purpose I was destined to live. I have grown so much as an individual and I am so happy right now and in love with myself 🙂

Anyways…there is my spill! Now fun part! Here are my pictures of my 3 month afro!! I’m pretty darn proud of the growth! You can’t really tell until you do these kinds of comparisons…but I love it! It’s fun and I never have a bad hair day…not even in the rain. I don’t worry about messing up my hair anymore and it’s growing so thick and healthy. OK so here are the pics:

My 3 month 100% natural afro 🙂

The day of my big chop! Compare that to the pic above ❤

This is my hair from the side shortly after the BC

For 6 wks I wore yarn braids. I did them myself! First time ever braiding my hair 🙂

My yarn braids again!

Hope you all njoy! Please let me know if you have any questions 😉
Thanks for stopping by…take care!

I know, I have not been very good at keeping up with my blog. I’m mostly disappointing myself because when I’m ready to look back on my progress, I won’t have as much to look over 😦 o’well.

Anyways, already I miss length. I didn’t have very much to begin with, but it was enough to style-do twist, bantu knots, braid outs etc. Now, there is not very much hair for me to manipulate so as I started looking all over youtube (as I do very often) I saw someone do some yarn braids! YARN BRAIDS?!? WHAT IS THIS???? I was totally intrigued. I searched the subject and found 100 different videos on the subject (wouldn’t expect anything less from my very informative natural hair community 🙂 ). After research and a great tutorial I was ready to try them for myself.

It has been 2 weeks since I first put them in and I have to say I really like them. It was my first time doing any kind of extensions in my hair and it was really easy to do. I wanted to put some kind of braid extensions in my hair, but I was afraid to let anyone else do them for me because every time someone does them for me they always pull my hair too tight. It always looks good, but my scalp and hair end up suffering in the end. I was prepared not to do any kind of long-term protective style-besides a wig here and there-until I came across the yarn braids.

Before doing them, the night before I did a hot oil treatment, washed and deep conditioned my hair. Everyday I spritz it with water, glycerin and conditioner mixture to keep them moisturized. Here are my results:

If you are interested in trying them too here is a great video I found it gives before, during and after tips!
Have fun! 🙂

So this dog-on Tangle Teezer has got me all tangled over if I should buy or if I should not.

OK, so while I was transitioning this Tangle Teezer hit the blogs big time! Everyone was talking about how awesome this little brush was on our natural hair. Demonstrations where everywhere I turned and give-aways where popping up out of the woodworks!!! I mean this thing is best invention since sliced bread (as my mother likes to say).

Take a look at one of the videos that I found to be very attractive:

OK, makes you wanna go get one, eh?! I was still transitioning when I first came across this product. I was at Sally’s trying to find a good leave-in condish to try and came across the oh so mighty Tangle Teezer <insert the angelic voices singing “ahhhh” here>! I grabbed it, but decided to wait until I was fully natural. I was glad that I knew where I could find it AND it was only $10, so I would come back and get it if I felt it necessary.

This past weekend I go to Sally’s and look high and low for my Tangle Teezer…it could not be found! I had the lady call around to the surrounding stores–they were all OUT!!! Evidently these little teezers were selling like hotcakes! The next shipment wouldn’t come in until Tuesday (which is today) so I would call and see if they received a new shipment.

****MEANWHILE****

I come across this Curly Nikki post, in which she says that the teezer was just that A TEASE!!! It detangled and shredded her hair at the same time 😦

Then just today I came across another post by the Natural Haven, that didn’t give the teezer too many great reviews either. O’Well, at least I haven’t bought one yet. I am still looking around at the reviews from the rest of you.

I’ve been teased! I was so excited to try this because detangling natural hair is a lot different than when your hair is in a transition stage. I will say that I’m glad I waited.

I’m still in it for the long haul. Just incase any of you were wondering. I get so many complements on my hair styles, it is ridiculous! I didn’t really realize how many people love natural hair. It is so beautiful and unique. No two hair styles are alike and you stand out no matter what.

I made my hair appointment for October 22, 2010 that will mark the beginning of my 4th month of transitioning. I am still unsure of what will happen on that day. Originally I planned to transition a complete year before making the big chop, however now that I am starting to see and feel my curls, I can’t wait to see what it will look like. I’ve never had a TWA before and the only thing bad about getting one now would be the fact that it is getting cold outside.

My stylist is one that I trust completely (so that is awesome) and I know that she will advise me on the best option for my hair.

Here is what I am suggesting:

Cut off the same amount of permed hair as the hair that has grown (new growth). In other words if I have 3 inches of new growth, I need to cut off 3 inches of permed hair.

Only cut the dead ends (I don’t have any split ends surprisingly) and just let it all continue to grow unless I start to see major breakage-which I haven’t seen yet.

Go ahead and do the BC!!

I know many of you might be shouting “BC! BC! BC!!!” I don’t know, we will see. I haven’t ruled any one thing out at this point and today I’m up for anything. Tomorrow might not be the same! I don’t want to have any regrets in this process. I want to go at my own pace, as all transitioners should. I’m having so much fun learning about my hair and testing new products and trying new things.

Well, anyways! I’m happy to have begun my third month of transitioning. I am not turning back! I am too happy to be nappturally njoyable! :O)